What’s Joshua 1:9 all about? In Joshua 1:9, God says to Joshua,

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (ESV)

Is this verse about getting up the gumption to do gutsy things? Not quite.

God does tell his servant Joshua three times in Joshua 1 to “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6; 1:7; 1:9). Why is it so important to God to say this three times?

What Is Joshua 1:9 About?

God had promised to give the Israelites the land of Canaan, which was entirely occupied by people groups much mightier than them. This meant war was on the horizon. Joshua’s dear friend and mentor, Moses, had just died, and pressure surrounded Joshua as hundreds of thousands of people looked to him for leadership in Moses’ absence. Joshua was likely overwhelmed, lonely, and grieved.

Certainly Joshua’s circumstances were worthy of fear, and he could find countless reasons to be discouraged. But God personally pursued his servant to encourage him. God reminded Joshua that his success didn’t depend on his own strength, but rather on God’s almighty strength.

God’s Instruction for Joshua

God had promised Joshua victory and would fulfill his Word if Joshua just fought and followed God’s lead. Now, it’s really hard to pay attention to instruction if you can’t remember it. So, God told Joshua to meditate on his promises day and night, so that Joshua would be careful to follow God wholeheartedly. God, not Joshua, was the ultimate leader.

God’s Encouragement for Us

God preserved his personal encouragement to Joshua in the Bible because he wants to pursue us and strengthen us too. And maybe, like Joshua, you find yourself under tremendous pressure and have an acute awareness of your need for courage.

Courage comes from bringing to mind the character of God, which we discover in the Bible. Strength comes from God himself working on our behalf as we follow him. Why could Joshua be strong and courageous? Because God was strong enough to do all that he said he would do.

In what way do you need courage today? Ask God to give you a promise from his Word to encourage you and to remind you of his strength.